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Career History

Shoeing horses is a passion and a profession for me. I enjoy everything about my job and I do it well.  I’m constantly striving to improve my abilities as a farrier and as a businessperson.

1990 - 1993: I began working with a sixth-generation farrier, Gary Stern of Cedar Grove, IN while still in high school. I worked on weekends, during breaks throughout the school year, and full time during the summer. We worked largely in western and northern greater Cincinnati area. We had a 500-horse clientele between the two of us (which is very large).  Most were 4-H, trail and pleasure riders.  Mr. Stern is an excellent horseman and farrier, and I have never known a person before or since with the ability to work so hard. Under his instruction, I learned the basics of farrier art and science and how to work effectively and efficiently with a wide variety of horse types. After graduating from high school, I began working full time with Mr. Stern.

1994: I moved to northeastern New York State in an attempt to start my own farrier business in the area where I lived until entering high school. I worked on many draft horses used for maple sugar industry and for pulling contests. My clients’ horses also included standard-bred racing horses in Saratoga Springs, dressage horses, reigning horses, and trail horses.  It was during this period that I realized that I would need to improve my skills in order to succeed in this industry.

1995 - 1998: I returned to Cincinnati and began working under farrier industry expert David Farley of Professional Quality Horse Shoeing, Inc. Mr. Farley is world renowned for his reputation as an expert in lameness and show shoeing (competition and therapeutic applications).  His ongoing clinics throughout the world and his efforts in teaching and in producing videos regarding the art and science of farriery are a testament to this.  At Mr. Farley’s suggestion, I started competing at national farrier competitions with Mid Eastern Farriers Association (the most actively competitive membership in the country).  As part of my education, Mr. Farley also sent me to work around the country with renowned farriers like: Dwight Sanders (reigning horse expert), Roy Bloom (world famous blacksmith), Danny Houssman (leading hunter/jumper farrier), and others.  Working among the top farriers and trainers in the world was a rare privilege that I took very seriously.  As a result of these efforts, I mastered “working farrier” forging skills as well as the art and science of farrier work. During this time, I also traveled to the East Coast, working at many shows and barns, and competed in numerous farrier competitions.

1998 - 2000: In 1998, Mr. Farley relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida. At this point, I focused my business on the east side of Cincinnati in cooperation with fellow farrier Donald Tener.

2000: Lisa and I married.  We filed as a subchapter S Corporation and developed our web site.  I continued to work mostly on the east side of Cincinnati.

2003 - 2005: We moved to Owenton, KY, which is geographically centered on Cincinnati, Lexington, and Louisville.  I continued to work mostly in the Cincinnati area and also began investigating opportunities in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, areas .  We also began working as the official farrier&  at many local events at which my clients compete.

2006:  We leased land from Mr. & Mrs. Paxton who very generously make it possible for us to work to purchase the land.  At this time, focus is toward advancing skills and knowledge of competition and therapeutic applications through clinics and communication with top talent in the industry.